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Afghan citizen charged in US election day terror attack
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Afghan citizen charged in US election day terror attack



CNN

The Justice Department announced charges Tuesday against an Afghan national who allegedly planned a terrorist attack in support of ISIS on Election Day in the United States.

The FBI arrested 27-year-old Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi in Oklahoma on Monday after he purchased rifles and ammunition from an undercover police officer. Several charges have been brought against him, including conspiracy and attempting to provide material support to IS.

Working with an unnamed teenager, Tawhedi planned to liquidate his assets, send his family back to Afghanistan, buy assault rifles and “carry out a violent attack” in the United States, court documents say. The juvenile was also arrested, according to court documents.

The indictment comes at a time when the Justice Department has publicly — and repeatedly — said its primary focus is protecting the November presidential election from foreign threats. Tawhedi’s alleged plan, which prosecutors said was intended to target “large gatherings of people,” was foiled less than a month before voters went to the polls.

Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray praised federal law enforcement for disrupting the conspiracy. Garland said the Justice Department will continue to “identify, investigate and prosecute those individuals who seek to terrorize the American people.”

According to prosecutors, Tawhedi entered the United States in September 2021 and is currently on probation pending the outcome of his immigration case. He lives in Oklahoma City with his wife and child.

Over the summer, Tawhedi reportedly searched online for “How to access cameras in Washington DC,” “Which US state doesn’t require relatives to get a firearm,” and “Which US states have passed gun-carrying laws?” also visited the White House and Washington Monument webcams in July.

According to court documents, Tawhedi began speaking to a known ISIS recruiter in August on the messaging platform Telegram. Messages recovered by the FBI and highlighted in court documents show that Tawhedi and the recruiter allegedly discussed firearms, and Tawhedi asked if anyone would be able to guide his family “in the near future.”

“Brother, our house was sold today. We will receive the money by October 15 next month,” said a message from Tawhedi included in the court documents. “After that we will begin our duty, God willing, and with God’s help we will prepare for election day.”

The Justice Department pointed to ISIS propaganda found on Tawhedi’s phone and donations he made to charities known to funnel money to the terror organization. They also cited a video found on the phone that prosecutors say shows the 27-year-old telling his child about the rewards a martyr receives in the afterlife.

This story has been updated with additional details.

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